Psychological Disorders Test - 2

Comorbidity refers to the occurrence of 2 or more disorders at the same time.

All of the answers given above refer to factors associated with mental illness according to the biological models of mental disorders.

It is likely that mental illness results only when particular combinations of factors are present. This notion is at the heart of the diathesis –stress model of mental illness. The diathesis –stress model suggests that some people possess an enduring vulnerability factor (a diathesis) which, when coupled with a proximal (recent) stressor, results in psychological disorder.
Neither the diathesis nor the stressor alone is enough to lead to symptoms –both must be present. Diatheses and stressors can be defined broadly. For example, a genetic or biological predisposition to mental illness might be the diathesis, and a troubled parent –child relationship could be the stressor; or a dysfunctional pattern of thinking about the world can be the diathesis, and a major life event the stressor.

Causes of schizophrenia are likely to be genetic and biological factors –these account for our initial vulnerability to schizophrenia. It is clear that schizophrenia tends to be inherited. Moreover, several biological problems may cause schizophrenia, as various forms of brain dysfunction occur among sufferers, including enlarged ventricles, reduced blood flow to frontal brain regions and an excess of dopamine (Andreasen et al., 1992; Davis et al., 1991; Flaum et al., 1995). But we don ’t know for sure whether these problems are a cause or a consequence of the disorder.
An early hypothesis of the ‘schizophrenogenic mother ’suggested that inadequate parenting causes schizophrenia (e.g. Arieti, 1955). There is absolutely no evidence of this, nor that any psychosocial factors (factors incorporating psychological, environmental and social factors that may play a role in psychopathology) cause schizophrenia. The evidence overwhelmingly points to genetic and biological factors as providing the initial vulnerability to schizophrenia; there is evidence, consistent with a diathesis –stress model, that psychological and social factors influence the course of schizophrenia, such as the timing of onset and the likelihood of relapse.

Schizophrenia is the psychological disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, using bizarre language and inappropriate affect. The alternative answers refer to mental disorders that are not characterized by these symptoms.

Major depressive disorder follows a recurrent course. Although some people have isolated episodes, most experience multiple episodes of depression that may become more severe over time (e.g. Lewinsohn, Zeiss &Duncan, 1989). Mild forms of depression with just a few symptoms rather than full-blown major depressive disorder can predict the onset of more serious depression later on (e.g. Pine et al., 1999).
Although depression was once thought to be a disorder of adulthood, we now know that it affects people of all ages, including children. The age of onset of major depressive disorder is decreasing, and the rates of major depressive disorder in childhood and adolescence are increasing rapidly. Early onset predicts a worse course of depression over time (e.g. Lewinsohn et al., 1994), so depression in childhood and adolescence is a serious problem that can lead to ongoing difficulties throughout life.

The extent of heritability varies across disorders. People who are prone to anxiety disorders are born with something called behavioural inhibition (see Kagan &Snidman, 1991). Children who are behaviourally inhibited are shy, quiet, fearful, socially avoidant and have high levels of physiological arousal (i.e. they are aroused easily and are very reactive to stimulation and stress). These children are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder (e.g. Hirschfeld et al., 1992).
Regarding biological factors, there a number of pathways in the limbic system that are hypothesized to produce various types of anxiety reactions (e.g. Gray, 1982). Although some forms of biological dysfunction may be associated with anxiety in general, each anxiety disorder may also have unique biological causes. Cognitive, behavioural and life stress factors all affect risk for anxiety disorders. In fact, stress is, by definition, the cause of PTSD.

The tension-reduction hypothesis refers to the notion that people use substances in order to reduce tension and negative affect. The alternative answers given above refer to other mental disorders that are not explained by this hypothesis.

Personality disorders are the most resistant to change compared to other types of psychological disorders because they are disorders of people ’s basic character –so there is no normal functioning to return to. Psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments are available to treat eating disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and affective disorders.

There is considerable evidence to indicate that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are caused by biological factors, but there is no evidence to indicate that they are caused by psychosocial factors. Panic disorder and bulimia have both been associated with psychosocial factors